John Johnson

John Frank Johnson, Jr, 71 of Jacksonville, passed away on October 31, 2018 at the Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital in Columbia, MO. He was born on November 17, 1946 in Fort Campbell, KY to John Frank Johnson, Sr. and Barbara Creech Johnson. Upon completing high school, John entered the United States Navy and served his country honorably from 1965 to 1970 where he received a National Defense Service medal. He moved from Georgia in 1988 and made Missouri his home. John graduated from Saint Paul School of Theology (a United Methodist Seminary) in Kansas City and pastored in several Missouri churches for ten years. He received an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and later worked as a city police officer, then as a Randolph County sheriff’s deputy and finally a detective for a number of years. After retiring, his favorite place to be was in his “shop” where he would spend hours doing mechanical and bodywork as well as restoring vintage tractors. John enjoyed fishing, front porch sitting and spending time with family. John is preceded in death by his parents; his step-son, T. J. Holt and his father-in-law, Arthur Schenck. Survivors include his beloved wife Diane Johnson of Jacksonville; his children, Robert Johnson of Jacksonville, Shawn (Erica) Johnson of Moberly, Ashley (Sam Seiders) Holt of Columbia, Michelle Johnson of Georgia and John (Cathy) Johnson of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Brianna Johnson and Zachary Johnson both of Moberly, Robert James Johnson II of Georgia, John Johnson the IV and Harley Johnson both of Texas and Laken Johnson of Oklahoma; extended family and many close friends. Services celebrating John’s life will be held on Monday, November 5, 2018 at 12:00 noon at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville with full military honors. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 5, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions are suggested to Fisher House Foundation, Inc. (which provides lodging for family members of hospitalized veterans), 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852 or donate online at http://donate.fisherhouse.org/columbiamo.